The Brothers Ashkenazi
Encyclopedia
The Brothers Ashkenazi is a novel by Israel Joshua Singer
. Written in Yiddish, it was first translated into English by Maurice Samuel in 1936. In 1980 a new translation was published by the author's son, Joseph Singer.
The novel takes place in the Polish city of Lodz, mostly among the large Jewish community that lived there before World War Two. It follows the changes from the 19th century through the revolution of 1905 and ends just after World War One. The main character is Max Ashkenazi, who moves away from the pious Jewish culture he is born into and becomes a successful industrialist. This destroys a lot of his personal relationships, before the upheaval of the war also ruins him financially. Max is engaged in a constant battle to be more successful than his twin brother Jacob. This competition estranges Max from his friends and family. Closer towards the end of his life, Max comes to a realization that he was always driven by greed and he does his best to fix and gain back the family and the relationships that he has lost.
This is a historical novel about the life of Jews in Poland, about the Industrial Revolution, and the beginnings of Communism. Moreover, it is a story about a man doing what he does best and that is chasing false idols, ideologies, and glory; All Max wanted was to be called the King of Lodz. He becomes very successful throughout the course of his life, but in the process loses everything else that is important to him.
Israel Joshua Singer
Israel Joshua Singer was a Yiddish novelist. He was born Yisroel Yehoyshue Zinger, the son of Pinchas Mendl Zinger, a rabbi and author of rabbinic commentaries, and Basheva Zylberman...
. Written in Yiddish, it was first translated into English by Maurice Samuel in 1936. In 1980 a new translation was published by the author's son, Joseph Singer.
The novel takes place in the Polish city of Lodz, mostly among the large Jewish community that lived there before World War Two. It follows the changes from the 19th century through the revolution of 1905 and ends just after World War One. The main character is Max Ashkenazi, who moves away from the pious Jewish culture he is born into and becomes a successful industrialist. This destroys a lot of his personal relationships, before the upheaval of the war also ruins him financially. Max is engaged in a constant battle to be more successful than his twin brother Jacob. This competition estranges Max from his friends and family. Closer towards the end of his life, Max comes to a realization that he was always driven by greed and he does his best to fix and gain back the family and the relationships that he has lost.
This is a historical novel about the life of Jews in Poland, about the Industrial Revolution, and the beginnings of Communism. Moreover, it is a story about a man doing what he does best and that is chasing false idols, ideologies, and glory; All Max wanted was to be called the King of Lodz. He becomes very successful throughout the course of his life, but in the process loses everything else that is important to him.